Under the immense might of the Heavenly Tribulation, the red light transformed from the Three Yang True Fire Sword collided with the heavenly lightning.
"Boom!" This tremendous roar blasted a huge hole in the sea surface, affecting even the seabed. Consequently, the distant coastline and Yiye Island shook violently.
"Boom! Boom!" Several more thunderclaps rang out, as the Eighth Heavenly Tribulations of the others struck down one after another.
The defensive shield overhead shook incessantly, on the verge of shattering. Daoist Ruyi's expression changed slightly as he uttered, "Not good!" and transformed into a streak of escaping light, darting downwards.
The vast range of this Eighth Heavenly Tribulation exceeded everyone's expectations. The restrictions on Yiye Island showed faint signs of collapsing. Daoist Ruyi was rushing to take charge of the formation. If the formation wasn't repaired in time, Yiye Island would likely be destroyed when the Ninth Heavenly Tribulation arrived.
Although Yiye Island was merely a marketplace, its destruction would be detrimental to all major powers. For their sects, over half of the resources for cultivators above the Core Formation stage came from Yiye Island.
The other cultivators from major sects hesitated for a moment, then also transformed into streaks of escaping light, following Daoist Ruyi. The opportunity was indeed rare, but Yiye Island could not be destroyed.
In mid-air, only Ma Laolv and two cultivators unrelated to the major sects remained.
"Fellow Daoist Ma," one of them asked, "in your opinion, this Ninth Heavenly Tribulation..."
Ma Laolv glanced at them with a half-smile. "Fellow Daoists, this old man can't say for sure about such matters. If we want to pick up bargains, we'll have to rely on our own luck and methods."
Setting aside the Nascent Soul cultivators on Yiye Island, after repelling the Eighth Heavenly Tribulation, Qin Xi fell several dozen zhang before stabilizing his form. The red light transformed from his Three Yang True Fire Sword had already mostly dissipated.
"Senior Brother!" Mo Tiange called out. This time, Qin Xi had blocked most of the tribulation's power, so the impact she suffered was actually smaller than during the seventh level.
Qin Xi waved his hand to indicate he was fine, swallowed a pill, and seized the time to recover his spiritual energy.
Seeing no signs of serious injury on him, Mo Tiange felt relieved and also sat cross-legged to meditate and regulate her breathing.
After the Eighth Heavenly Tribulation, a brief calm returned to the sea surface.
Yang Chengji had also successfully weathered the Eighth Heavenly Tribulation. His tribulation's power was halved, making it much easier for him than for Mo Tiange. Moreover, he had the Demonic Tower in hand. Among the five holy artifacts, this was a truly powerful magical treasure. He had been refining it for decades since obtaining it, and even though he had just formed his Nascent Soul, its power was considerable.
As for the three demon beasts, the Azure-Winged Giant Beast was the most severely injured. Its cultivation was the lowest, and being of the wood attribute, it was directly countered by the heavenly lightning. However, it had taken human form long ago and possessed a robust physique. Although injured, it still held on. The other two demon beasts, being at the ninth rank, were even stronger than the Azure-Winged Giant Beast.
On the sea surface, the three beasts and two humans were all gathering their strength, awaiting the arrival of the most critical Ninth Heavenly Tribulation.
If they endured this tribulation, they would ascend to heaven in a single step. The demon beasts would officially become demon cultivators, their already formidable physiques further strengthened, and their abilities would rise to a new level. Mo Tiange and Yang Chengji would also see a great increase in strength and a bright future.
In the sky, faint thunder rumbled. The tribulation clouds kept gathering, yet the heavenly lightning had yet to fall.
Jing Xingzhi watched the horizon with concern. This was not a good sign. The longer the tribulation clouds gathered, the greater the power of the impending tribulation.
Besides those undergoing the tribulation, outsiders like them caught within its range would also be implicated.
He glanced at Qin Xi and Mo Tiange, gritting his teeth in resentment. Why was he so unlucky to run into these two calamity stars? Being trapped in the Immortal Palace for decades was one thing—after all, he had gained many benefits—but now being inexplicably dragged into a Heavenly Tribulation, what was that about? A Nascent Soul Formation Tribulation, something that simply didn't exist in the current cultivation world, and they could actually summon it! And now he couldn't even run away. If they failed to endure the tribulation, he wouldn't fare well either.
It was too late for such thoughts now. The tribulation was right before him; what else could he do? Gazing at his meticulously refined Zhishui Sword, he pondered for a long moment and sighed.
"Fellow Daoist Nan!" Jing Xingzhi glanced at Nan Guitian not far away.
Nan Guitian had just finished meditating. Although caught off guard at first and somewhat disheveled, he was, after all, a veteran Nascent Soul cultivator. He had adjusted his mindset and was rationally facing the tribulation before him. Hearing Jing Xingzhi's voice, he turned his gaze. "What instructions does this fellow daoist have?"
Jing Xingzhi looked at Yang Chengji nearby and said, "If they fail to endure the tribulation, the residual force of the Heavenly Tribulation will likely fall upon us. I wonder what Fellow Daoist Nan thinks?"
Nan Guitian hesitated briefly, then smiled. "What else can we do? We'll just have to wait and see."
Jing Xingzhi, however, had no intention of joking with him. He said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Nan, with the Heavenly Tribulation upon us, is there still time for such nonsense? None of us can escape its range. Helping them is helping ourselves. I will go assist those two. Fellow Daoist Yang's side, I leave to you. How about it?"
Having said that, Jing Xingzhi didn't wait for his reply and turned to fly towards Mo Tiange's location.
Watching his retreating figure, Nan Guitian sighed silently.
In the sky, the thunder grew louder. The Ninth Heavenly Tribulation was about to finish brewing.
Qin Xi and Mo Tiange each stood up, preparing to face it. Both wore solemn, focused expressions, ready to unleash their power at any moment. Life or death, ascending to heaven in one step or halting on the immortal path—it all depended on this moment.
Before the heavenly lightning even descended, the howl of Gang Wind arose. Massive waves surged and roared on the sea surface like a ferocious giant beast ready to devour everything.
"Boom!" The tribulation clouds finally finished gathering. With a flash of lightning, golden heavenly lightning revealed itself within the clouds.
Mo Tiange's heart sank. Golden Lightning! This Ninth Heavenly Tribulation was the genuine Golden Lightning! Golden Lightning was the most powerful type among lightning-based spells. Her luck was just too good!
There was no time for further thought. The tribulation clouds of the Ninth Heavenly Tribulation blasted towards her. She released the White Silk Handkerchief, already half-destroyed, and summoned all the magical treasures she could still channel spiritual power into. Even if all her treasures were destroyed, she had to withstand this tribulation!
The golden lightning was blinding. The first to meet it was still Qin Xi's Three Yang True Fire Sword. Although he possessed many treasures, most of his divine abilities resided in this natal magical treasure.
The Golden Lightning was blocked by the Three Yang True Fire Sword, but only paused for a moment before shattering the sword rays and continuing to blast towards Mo Tiange.
The moment the sword formation shattered, Qin Xi suffered a massive spiritual backlash, vomiting a mouthful of blood. The Three Yang True Fire Sword was his natal magical treasure, nurtured for two hundred years. When the sword was injured, so was he.
Seeing this, Mo Tiange's heart leapt, but with the tribulation upon her, she couldn't afford to check on Qin Xi. Gritting her teeth, she unleashed several magical treasures in succession, attacking the Golden Lightning.
Her defensive treasures were only the White Silk Handkerchief and the white robe. Now that the handkerchief was half-destroyed, relying on the robe alone would likely be insufficient against the Golden Lightning. She could only use offense as defense.
"Boom!" The Lingxiao Ruyi collided with the Golden Lightning and was instantly shattered into pieces. Next were several treasures bestowed by Perfected One Jinghe when she formed her Core—flying swords, stone seals, jade vases—all charged at it one after another.
Under the self-destructive attacks of these several treasures, the Golden Lightning's momentum weakened slightly, but it still pressed forward relentlessly towards her.
In this short time, Mo Tiange had almost exhausted all the usable offensive treasures on her person. Seeing the Golden Lightning still overwhelmingly powerful, she had no choice. With a flick, she unfolded the Heaven-Earth Fan, determined to fight for her life.
If she couldn't pass the tribulation, death was her only path. Then, no amount of treasures would be of use.
"Hiss!" The Heaven-Earth Fan met the Golden Lightning, emitting a light sound.
In that instant, Mo Tiange's spirit was massively shaken. She felt with crystal clarity the aura of heaven and earth carried by the Golden Lightning under the tribulation. In comparison, her own power was so insignificant.
Could she truly pass this tribulation? Only now, directly facing the Ninth Heavenly Tribulation, did she suddenly doubt it.
At that moment, she heard a clear cry. Not far away, sword light brightened, slowlyIllusion transformed into countless sword rays. Finally, the sword rays gathered into a ball and shot towards the Golden Lightning with incredible speed.
"Cough!" Qin Xi gasped for breath, straightened up, and murmured, "The Gains and Losses Sword of the Red Dust Three Swords technique? Finally using your ultimate move?"
When these sword rays met the Golden Lightning, they split into two, attacking from both sides.
"Boom!" This collision was louder than any before.
Jing Xingzhi, however, did not stop. He also forced out his essence blood. The sword rays gathered anew and struck at the Golden Lightning once more.
"Boom! Boom!" Two more sword strikes. The outer layer of the Golden Lightning was shattered, its power greatly reduced.
"Ugh!" Jing Xingzhi's face turned deathly pale as he spat out a mouthful of blood, yet his entire body relaxed. "All three swords unleashed... I've done enough for you..."
Mo Tiange was still resisting the Golden Lightning. Although the spiritual energy released by the Heaven-Earth Fan was being compressed inch by inch, she continued to held on with all her might. She didn't know if she could hold on, but giving up meant certain death.
Qin Xi swallowed a handful of pills, formed a hand seal, and a ball of red light faintly appeared in his dantian.
The red light grew brighter, gradually deepening into a fiery color. Then, an ancient-looking long bow burning with flames emerged from within his body.
He gripped the bow, pulled the string. Flames shot from his arm, forming the shape of an arrow on the bow.
The bow bent like a full moon, aimed at the Golden Lightning. Then he released. The flame arrow shot forth swift as a meteor towards the Golden Lightning.
The cry of a phoenix rang out. The flame arrow transformed into a fiery vermilion bird that clashed with the Golden Lightning.
"Boom!" This impact far surpassed all previous ones. The overwhelmingly powerful Golden Lightning finally couldn't withstand it, shaking and dissipating most of it.
"Cough!" Qin Xi frowned, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and tried to gather the Vermilion Bird's flames anew. However, that single arrow had almost exhausted his remaining strength. The Vermilion Bird's flames he released could not solidify, unable to form another flame arrow.
Neither Jing Xingzhi nor Qin Xi could make another move.
Mo Tiange gritted her teeth, tapped her glabella, and forced out several drops of essence blood. She smeared them on the Heaven-Earth Fan, which instantly blazed with brilliant light.
Essence blood—the most refined part of a cultivator's being. Using essence blood to enhance a magical treasure was a technique every cultivator above Core Formation knew. However, once essence blood was expended, cultivation would suffer greatly, and not everyone was willing to use it. She hadn't used it before because it was a last-ditch, desperate measure. If she used essence blood and still couldn't withstand the tribulation, then she could only leave it to fate.
Now, both Qin Xi and Jing Xingzhi had did not hesitate used essence blood to help her, resulting in a severe drop in their strength and inability to act further. She had no reason to hold back anymore.
Life or death—she would gamble on this!
Nourished by the essence blood, the Heaven-Earth Fan's aura suddenly surged. Mo Tiange formed a hand seal. Countless mountains, rocks, flowers, and plants flew out from the fan, striking at the Golden Lightning.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" The sounds were unceasing as the Golden Lightning was gradually dispersed bit by bit.
Yet, in the end, the Golden Lightning still had not been completely shattered.
Feeling the spiritual energy in her body slowly draining away, Mo Tiange revealed a bitter smile. Was her immortal path truly going to end today? How unwilling! She was so close, just a little bit more.
She turned her head to look at Qin Xi. Senior Brother, I'm truly sorry. Without me, you could have gone much further, right?
Qin Xi, however, returned her gaze with a smile. Although he also felt great regret, he did not regret this outcome.
The next moment, they heard Jing Xingzhi's incredulous voice: "This is..."
"Roar!" An ear-splitting roar shook the heavens. From within the Heaven-Earth Fan, an azure dragon soared upwards, confronted the Golden Lightning.